Find IA, IB, IC, I1, I2, V0, VA Solutions

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdawg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ib Ic
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a circuit problem involving currents IA, IB, IC, and voltages V0 and VA using mesh analysis and supermesh techniques. Initial attempts at forming equations led to confusion, particularly regarding the application of Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) and the treatment of the controlled current source. After several iterations, it was clarified that only two mesh equations are needed alongside the supermesh constraint to solve for the three unknowns. The user was advised to incorporate the supermesh constraint equation to complete the system of equations. Ultimately, the focus is on correctly applying mesh analysis to derive the values of the currents and voltage in the circuit.
jdawg
Messages
366
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


Find IA, IB, IC, I1, I2, V0, VA

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


(V0/10) = IA-IB

For IA: 10v + 10(IA+IC) + (IA-IB)=0
11(IA) - (IB) + 10(IC) = -10v

For IB: -(IB-IA) - 20(IB+IC) - 10(IB) = 0
IA - 31(IB) - 20(IC) = 0

For IC: 10(IA+IC) - 20(IC+IB) - 10(IC) = 0
10(IA) - 20(IB) - 20(IC) = 0

I then put these equations into a matrix (Sorry I don't know how to put them into a matrix on here) and used an online matrix calculator to get the currents:

IA= -0.4A
IB=(18/55)A
IC=(-29/55)A

So then I plugged these values into this formula:
(V0/10) = IA-IB
And got V0= -7.3V

But when I used v=iR to see if I would get the same thing I got

v=(-29/55)(10)= -5.27v

What am I doing wrong?
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
Hi jdawg. Are you able to replace your pdf with a simple jpeg?
 
jdawg said:

Homework Statement


Find IA, IB, IC, I1, I2, V0, VA

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


(V0/10) = IA-IB

For IA: 10v + 10(IA+IC) + (IA-IB)=0
11(IA) - (IB) + 10(IC) = -10v
Your term: IA-IB is a current, not a voltage. That won't work for a KVL statement.

The source in the center of the circuit is a current source. It has a value ##V_o / 10kΩ##, which you'll note is a current value. Lying between two meshes as it is, your instinct should be to form a Supermesh to avoid dealing with its unknown potential change in your KVL equations.

Fig1.png
 
  • Like
Likes jdawg
Oh ok, I retried the problem using super meshes:

First I did a super mesh around the whole circuit:
10+10(IC)-10(IB) = 0
IC = IB - 1 equation1

Then I did a second super mesh around meshes IA and IB excluding IC:
10 - 10(IA+IC) - 20(IC+IB) - 10(IB) = 0
10(IA) + 30(IB) +30(IC) = 10 equation2

And then around IC:
-10(IC) - 10(IC+IA) - 20(IC+IB) = 0
IA +2(IB) +4(IC) = 0 equation3

I then plugged equation 1 into equation 2 and equation 3 and IB ended up canceling out. I'm not sure what I did wrong this time.
 
jdawg said:
Oh ok, I retried the problem using super meshes:

First I did a super mesh around the whole circuit:
10+10(IC)-10(IB) = 0
IC = IB - 1 equation1

Then I did a second super mesh around meshes IA and IB excluding IC:
10 - 10(IA+IC) - 20(IC+IB) - 10(IB) = 0
10(IA) + 30(IB) +30(IC) = 10 equation2

And then around IC:
-10(IC) - 10(IC+IA) - 20(IC+IB) = 0
IA +2(IB) +4(IC) = 0 equation3

I then plugged equation 1 into equation 2 and equation 3 and IB ended up canceling out. I'm not sure what I did wrong this time.
You only need two mesh equations plus the supernode constraint equation. Writing a third mesh equation doesn't provide new information, it just duplicates other information from the other two equations. That's why you found things cancelling out.

So, you previously wrote the required constraint equation relating IA, IB, and IC (via the controlled current supply). Use that in place of one of your mesh equations. Usually the approach is to combine the two loops with the shared current into a supermesh, and write regular mesh equations for any other loops.
 
Ok so I kept my super mesh 2 and IC equations. I'm still a little confused, so now I just write an equation for either loop IA or IB?
 
jdawg said:
Ok so I kept my super mesh 2 and IC equations. I'm still a little confused, so now I just write an equation for either loop IA or IB?

You can't write equations for loops IA or IB because you don't have a potential for the controlled current source. So you combine IA and IB into a supermesh as you've done, and then write mesh equations for what's left: that's loop IC.

Fig2.png
 
  • Like
Likes jdawg
So now I have IA+3(IB)+3(IC) = 1 from the super mesh and IA+ 2(IB)+4(IC) = 0 for the IC loop. How do I solve for the three variables with only two equations? Sorry for asking so many questions!
 
jdawg said:
So now I have IA+3(IB)+3(IC) = 1 from the super mesh and IA+ 2(IB)+4(IC) = 0 for the IC loop. How do I solve for the three variables with only two equations? Sorry for asking so many questions!
You've forgotten the supermesh constraint equation.
 
  • Like
Likes jdawg
  • #10
Thanks so much for all your help!
 

Similar threads

Replies
62
Views
11K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
7K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
Back
Top